The Magic of Merging Coastal and Industrial Interior Design

Now, I know that coastal and industrial styles have borrowed characteristics from each other before. I mean, a classic coastal style often features some small elements of rusticity and age. But for the most part, the coastal style keeps the weathered materials fairly light in weight and colour. Almost a bohemian coastal, if anything (as explored here).

The look we’re checking out today is anything but lightweight though. It’s not the airy, seaside vibe you’d normally get from coastal. But it’s not as masculine and heavy as a typical industrial interior design style either. It’s somewhere in between. A perfect blend of both worlds, you could say.

The imagery in this post comes courtesy of Sheridan. It features pieces from their new-season range and I’m in lurve with it all.

Coastal and Industrial Interior Design Combines

Tactile to the Max!

Texture is a great place to start in terms of explaining how to get this look right, because there’s loads of it here.

As you scroll through the images in the post, you’ll notice that every one is packed with delightful decor in tactile finishes. By that I mean, gorgeous textures you want to touch. They’re interesting. They’re weathered. They’re aged. They appear handmade. Each piece feels like it could tell a story, and that it’s lived a life.

The harder textures are a combination of rough moments, like in the tabletop and ceramics above, married with smoother concretes and metals.

The softer materials are wonderfully woven (like in throws and rugs). Plus you’ll notice the linen slip covers on sofas and armchairs; so typical of a coastal interior design scheme, though not in traditional coastal colours.

Metal is the texture that blends the coastal and industrial interior design schemes together though. And weathered but darker wood.

“There are so many layers in this coastal-industrial look, which means it’s a winning style approach for the colder months”.

A Moody Colour Palette

A classic coastal style is very white for the most part; punctuated with blonde timbers and blue-green accents. That colour palette is significantly darkened in this new, blended look. It picks up a lot of the darkness you see in an industrial design scheme, and blends it with all those whites, beiges and creams.

The result: a scheme that feels clean but earthy, light but dark, soothing but gritty. White is no longer the base tone in this look. Soft grey tones are the dominant ones here, layered with rusty browns, bone and cream colours, inky blues and the occasional drop of dark green. It’s a winning colour palette, and it all feels rather balanced.

The look can be softened though, if you’re finding it too dark. Simply bring in more oatmeal tones and light timbers.

Your Cheat Sheet for Creating this Look

Making this look work doesn’t have to be stressful, either! Pulling off a coastal industrial interior design vibe at your place is simple. Just keep the following in mind:

Keep pattern to a minimum; colour and texture are the elements that create interest

Metal ties the two styles together; try it in side and coffee tables, stools or dining chairs

This look has depth; ensure you decorate with homewares that tell a story

Hopefully these images and my style tips have inspired you to try combining coastal and industrial interior design styles together at your place. Drop me a comment below if you have any additional questions!